BLUFFING

01.10.12

Republicans Vote 'Independent' in N.H.

Bill Sikes / AP Photo

Apparently Republicans in New Hampshire were hesitant to define themselves as such. Nearly half of voters (47 percent) declared themselves independents, while 48 percent voted as Republicans. But a closer look at their ideology and voting behavior in the past suggests these so-called independents are indeed Republicans. 85 percent of them say they voted in a previous Republican primary, while Ron Paul earned votes from those who said they'd never voted in a GOP primary (37 percent). Romney, Paul, and Huntsman were tied in overall independent votes, with 29 percent backing Romney and Paul and 25 percent supporting Huntsman. Despite the independent surge, the ideology was similar to the 2008 primary, when 55 percent of Republicans said they were conservative or very conservative, in comparison to 52 percent this year.